30 Great Packed Lunch Ideas for Kids

I will be honest with you, lunch is my all-time least favorite meal. I can dominate at breakfast. And while my kids might complain sometimes, I can whip up a mean dinner.

But lunch?

Lunch leaves me stumped. I’m either making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches day after day after day, or I’m tossing lunch money at my kids as they run to the bus.

So in order to cure my own lunch ailments, I did a ton of research on how to make lunch easier, more fun and a whole lot more exciting – and I’m sharing that research with you!

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First, Let’s Talk About a Lunch System

Before we start talking about what to serve for lunch, let’s talk about the “making” of lunch. Shall we?

I finally came to my senses a couple of years ago and realized that my kids are DEFINITELY old enough to be packing their own lunches. And I would be frustrated with myself for continuing to pack them for them morning after morning.

Until, duh, it hit me. And we implemented a new lunch-packing system that has been working like a charm ever since.

Yes, your kindergartener can (and should?) be packing their own lunch.

And Now Let’s Talk About Lunch Supplies…

In my house, lunch only happens when we have the right supplies. It shouldn’t be that way, but I only need one tiny little excuse to give myself permission to forgo our entire system and routine and send my kids to school with twinkies for lunch.

Not really. But you know what I mean.

Once I finally just bit the bullet and purchased all of the lunch supplies we need, things got WAY easier around our house.

Here are my suggestions:

Lunch Box

I think lunch boxes are such a personal preference, that I struggle to make a specific recommendation. My kids usually pick something they like at the store, and we go with it. I always make sure that there’s plenty of room for their food and an ice pack. And I always like to make sure that it has a separate outside spot to hold a water bottle (like this one).

Food Containers

This was probably my biggest investment, but it’s the one that has meant the most to us. In order for my three kids to pack lunch for four days at a time, that means I need enough containers to hold 12 lunches. But it’s worth it for me to be able to have SO much extra time every morning before school. Here are the containers we love:

Water Bottles and Silverware

I don’t have an official recommendation on water bottles, but you should get at least one water bottle for lunches. We have a drawer full of them that always seem to be lost, but hopefully your house is better at that than I am.

As for silverware, my kids usually grab what they need at school, but here are some other options for you:

Disposable Items to Keep in Stock

→ Fun lunch jokes and notes. (Yes, this makes me the laziest human alive, but last I checked my kids were more excited about getting SOMETHING in their lunch from me than they were concerned that it was personalized.)

Okay, you’ve been patient long enough. Now we can finally talk about WHAT to put in those lunches every single darn day…

More than 30 Great Packed Lunch Ideas

Whether your kids are eating at school or at home, I’m sharing 30 of my favorite packed lunch ideas for kids ages toddler to teens. From meal prep tips to ideas for picky eaters, these easy, make-ahead lunches include healthy options and even options for clean eating kids. Enjoy!

Healthy Chicken Nuggets

My son went through a phase and refused to eat anything OTHER than chicken nuggets. Luckily, I was able to find a healthy version so I didn’t really care if he wouldn’t eat anything else. I would bake up a massive batch on the weekends, and he would take them to lunch every single day. Click here for the recipe.

Taco Bell for Lunch

If your kids are obsessed with Taco Bell, you will amaze them with these copycat recipes. I’m sharing 15 of the very best Taco Bell copycat recipes. Whip up some for dinner and send the leftovers for lunch. Click here for the recipes.

Peanut Butter Dogs

My daughter is obsessed with these, and I am too. They are sweet, combine a ton of protein and fruit – you just can’t lose. Click here for the recipe.

Homemade Lunchables

I still don’t understand why kids love lunchables so much, but you’ll love this homemade version because it’s so easy to create (and so much easier on the wallet). Click here for the recipe.

Guacamole, Bacon and Turkey Sandwich

I had to work to get my kids to give this one a try, but once they tried it, they all loved it. It’s a sandwich with a twist, and it will quickly top your list of favorite lunch meals. Click here for the recipe.

Chipotle for Lunch

If your kids are obsessed with Chipotle, you will amaze them with these copycat recipes. I’m sharing 15 of the very best Chipotle copycat recipes. Whip up some for dinner and send the leftovers for lunch. Click here for the recipes.

DIY Uncrustables Sandwiches

You can whip up a massive batch of these Uncrustables sandwiches and have them in the freezer – ready and waiting to be tossed into lunchboxes. Click here for the recipe.

Grilled Cheese and Apple Sandwich

If you have a way to keep this hot until lunch, your kids will be LOVING this grilled cheese and apple sandwich. Serve it with some carrots and popcorn, and it’s the perfect fall lunch. Click here for the recipe.

DIY Frozen Fruit Cups

These frozen fruit cups are just like buying fruit cups at the store except they’re not full of all of the added sugar, and they’re not as expensive. Woo hoo! Click here for the recipe.

Chick-fil-A for Lunch

If your kids are obsessed with Chick-fil-A, you will amaze them with these copycat recipes. I’m sharing 15 of the very best Chick-fil-A copycat recipes. Whip up some for dinner and send the leftovers for lunch. Click here for the recipes.

Coneys in a Blanket

These are so good and such a fun way to change up lunch every once in awhile. Your kids can heat them up at the school microwave, or you can send in a thermos. Click here for the recipe.

Pretzel Twists

I really didn’t think my kids would like these pretzel twists, but they LOVED them. And beg for them multiple times a day. Click here for the recipe.

Sandwich Kabobs

Is there anything more fun than a kabob? Sometimes my kids don’t like a particular sandwich, but when I serve it as a SANDWICH KABOB, they love it. Kids – they’re crazy! Click here for the recipe.

Pepperoni Pizza Burgers

My kids love these as burgers, but they also love to eat them without the bun – which makes this a perfect lunch for a thermos. Click here for the recipe.

Pepperoni Bites

This is another recipe that you’re going to want to make every single week so that you always have some in the fridge or freezer to heat up for lunches, snacks or even quick dinners on the go. Click here for the recipe.

Vegetarian Sausage Rolls

Tuna Checkerboard Sandwiches

I’m going to be honest. You’re going to make these for your kids, and then you’re going to want to steal them for your own lunch. Just be sure to make enough for everyone in the family! Click here for the recipe.

Cheesy Goodness Pasta

Smoothies for Lunch

My son would eat a smoothie for breakfast, lunch and dinner if we let him. If your kids are interested in taking a smoothie for lunch, here’s everything you need to know to get started. Smoothies 101

Mini Spaghetti Cups

I would have died and gone to heaven if my mom packed these in my lunch for me when I was a kid. (So do yourself a favor and pack some in your own lunch too!) Click here for the recipe.

Granola Protein Muffins

I whip up a batch of these every week, and sometimes the kids will opt to take two muffins in their lunch instead of a sandwich or other main course. They love them because they’re delicious. I love them because they are full of protein. Win-Win. Click here for the recipe.

Snacks for Lunch

My daughter loves having “snacks” for lunch. You can obviously go a variety of ways for this, but here are some great “snacks for lunch” ideas that your kids will love. Click here to see them all.

Looking for More Great Lunch Ideas?

Just in case you didn’t find enough inspiration here, I have 50 MORE great lunch ideas ready to go for you.